Newcastle United ‘identify’ £35m Bundesliga star as possible Bruno Guimaraes replacement

Newcastle United are plotting a summer swoop for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone, according to reports.

The Bundesliga outfit have languished in mid-table for the past few seasons, last qualifying for the Champions League four years ago. Kone arrived in 2021 from Toulouse and has become one of their most valuable assets.

A France international at under-18, under-19, under-21 and under-23 level, the midfielder is valued at around £35million. He is yet to make a senior call-up but several Premier League clubs - including Liverpool - have been linked.

Italian outlet Tutto Juve are now reporting that Newcastle have identified Kone as a key transfer target. Juventus are chasing the 22-year-old but the Magpies have been named as the front-runners as Toon chiefs plan a summer rebuild.

Serie A giants Juve also need to bolster their engine room, with Adrien Rabiot set to leave and Paul Pogba being banned for four years. Nicolo Fagioli will soon return from a suspension related to the Sandro Tonali fiasco but the Turin club still need midfield reinforcements.

However, financial difficulties are set to cripple Juventus, with UEFA banning them from European competition this season for breaching FFP. That paves the way for Newcastle to land their man ahead of the Italian giants.

Midfield, as it stands, is not a transfer priority for the Magpies as Tonali and Joelinton are set to return. But losing Bruno Guimaraes - with clubs circling for the Toon talisman - would make finding a replacement Newcastle’s prime concern.

While not as stylish as the Brazilian, Kone is a traditional holding midfielder, with an emphasis on defending and energy to thwart attacks. At 6ft 1in, he is physically imposing and can carry the ball up the pitch at pace - a throwback to former Newcastle powerhouse Moussa Sissoko.